FEW TRACK CANDIDATES OUT

The winter track season of 1917-18 commenced inauspiciously yesterday afternoon when only 17 candidates reported at the Locker Building for the first practice. Of these only four were from the three upper classes, the rest being from 1921. A great many more Freshmen are needed to form the basis of a strong relay team, while unless more University candidates come out before the end of the week the outlook for an informal team will not be bright. The coaching staff has three weeks before the Christmas vacation in which to whip the runners and field event men into shape, and all men who intend to go out for track this year are expected to report now in order to gain the valuable early training. Field event men are especially needed, since only four Freshmen and no University athletes signed up for these branches.

At yesterday's practice Coach Donovan took charge of all the runners, sending them at an easy jog around the Stadium fence. The jumpers and weight-throwers were given a workout in the baseball cage under the direction of Coach Farrell. This division of the coaching staff will be followed daily for the present. As soon as the laying of the board track, which is now under way, has been completed, all the runners will practice there.